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Rafael Nadal says he is ready for life after tennis and underlined that tennis is not the only important thing in his life. Nadal, 36, had another injury-plagued season in 2022 but was still able to win two Grand Slams.
Last month, Nadal became a father for the first time in his life. Due to injuries and fatherhood, some feel that Nadal may now be more tempted than ever to wrap up his astonishing performance for the foreseeable future. “My time will come when it has to come.
I am quite prepared for my next life outside of tennis. I don’t think it will be a problem for me beyond what will be an adaptation to the changes. My life has things as important or more important than tennis,» said Nadal, quoted in Eurosport.
Nadal on Roger Federer’s retirement
At the end of September, Federer’s great run came to an end at the Laver Cup. In the final match of Federer’s career, Nadal and the Swiss teamed up for a doubles match. Reflecting on Federer’s retirement, Nadal admitted that Federer was a very important part of his career.
“There are many experiences together, important moments shared in our lives as rivals and partners. People have feelings and understand this sport for what it is, a sport. When you have a rival like Federer, throughout your career, because when I started, Roger was already there, it is true that I played more matches with Novak than with Roger, but I started with him. [Federer].
Because of our contrasting styles and personalities, because of affinity, we have somehow shared so much. Someone whom I have admired, whom I have rivaled and also shared many beautiful things on and off the pitch was leaving.
In that sense, all those moments, those feelings that you have before playing a Grand Slam final, of an important tournament, everything that was in the air before those matches. It was different from other matches. You know you’re not going to live that again and part of my life went with him [when he retired].
It was also the emotion of saying goodbye to someone who has been so important to our sport,» Nadal said of Federer’s retirement.
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